Bombard

The nut is a copper pipe.  I like that idea.  I will see if I can make one like that. I had another question about neck and fret board  finish. I lacquer a good finish to use?

That makes sense. I When I started building these my interest was in the folk art look.  I now want to learn how to make the guitars sound as good as they can first and the look second.  I will build a brass or copper nut.  My frets are accurate and string height is good but still could not get it intonated.  I will let you all know how it sounds after I change the nut.  Thanks again for all your help.   

Yes,  the bridge is 11.5" from the 12th fret.  I am thinking of using an adjustable bridge on the next guitar.  Will this help with adjustments?

Thanks guys. Your advise is appreciated. The last guitar and the one in the middle of the picture of three are copper. The middle one was roof flashing I saved off a job. That’s natural patina and the last one, color is done with heat. 

Just check the twelfth fret measurement from the end of the fret board face of the nut and it is 11 1/2". I thought that the measurements came off the center of the nut but after just reading more I found it should be taken from end of the fret board. When I originally set up the bridge I set it off the center. Just moved it to where it is supposed to be and sound is improving. I think now I need to play with the nut height. I will send some pics.  

So I looked at a fret calculator and wow! How in the world do you get a ruler with such small increments? I a carpenter and my ruler only goes up to 1/16. I dont think I even know how to measure that small.  Would I be better buying a good meta fret layout tool?

Thank you both for responding. I got the paper template from CB Gitty, a cigar box supplier. When playing each string open and in tune and playing the twelfth fret harmonics its in tune. The three guitars I have made all have the same issues. I used the same template on all three.  Thanks for the tip on the veneer. 

Thank you all for your help. I got my paper fret template from CB Gitty. They are a supplier for three string guitars.  I have tried adjusting the bridge on all three guitars and get the same results. After thinking about your suggestion I am thinking it must be the template. I assume once the frets are cut in my only option is to build a new neck with more accurate fret locations? I will check out the fret calculator. 

Hi all. Newbie here. I have built several three string guitars. Typical bolt for the nut and Home made bridge. Having trouble dialing in the neck. When tuned in GDG the twelfth feet harmonic is right on but when I travel up the neck most all fret positions are sharp  my neck is straight and on the last guitar I built I flattened and filed the frets. String height on all are a little different but all are playing the same. I used a paper template I purchased for the 23” scale and I was as accurate as I could be when laying out.  Any suggestions?  Also tried to attach pics but said the two pic file was to large? Any one know how to attach pics?